Nancy J. Johnstone died May 25, 2016 at age 83. She was born in Detroit to Harold and Pearl Stavers. An active member of SSA's Visiting Committee since 1985, she became a Life Member. Johnstone earned her BA from Wittenberg University in Ohio, attended SSA in 1954 and later earned her master's degree in social work from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. At SSA, she was a Lecturer from 1998 to 2009, and a Clinical Associate from 1998 to 2000, and she taught professional development workshops from 1991 to 2008.

Johnstone began her stellar community service career as a social worker at Youth Guidance, a Chicago social service agency noted for its high-quality, innovative programs geared to Chicago's at-risk children. She later served as the Executive Director for Youth Guidance for 32 years. Under Johnstone's leadership, the agency grew from a budget of $100,000 and eight staff members to a budget of $5 million and more than 100 dedicated staff.

She "retired" from Youth Guidance in 2005 to become a co-leader at the Hyde Park-based Chicago Child Care Society (CCCS), the oldest existing child welfare agency in Illinois. She retired from CCCS in 2012. She was a tireless advocate for Chicago's professional women, serving as a life member of the Chicago Network, an organization of women in professional leadership positions. In 1994, Ms. Johnstone received a Public Services Citation from the UChicago Alumni Association for exemplary leadership in voluntary service.

Johnstone is survived by her husband, John, and her sons Eric and Bruce.